On Monday 3 February, the Department for Work and Pensions gave reasons for another delay in the number of people who had been moved onto Universal Credit was lower than expected.
The committee will now examine whether Universal Credit is meeting its original objectives and whether the policy assumptions reflected in its design are appropriate for different groups of claimants.
The committee is seeking answers to the following questions:
- How well has Universal Credit met its original objectives?
- Were the original objectives and assumptions the right ones? How should they change?
- What have been the positive and negative economic effects of Universal Credit?
- What effect has fiscal retrenchment had on the ability of Universal Credit to successfully deliver its objectives?
- Which claimants have benefited most from the Universal Credit reforms and which have lost out?
- How has the world of work changed since the introduction of Universal Credit? Does Universal Credit’s design adequately reflect the reality of low-paid work?
- If Universal Credit does not adequately reflect the lived experiences of low-paid workers, how should it be reformed?
The committee invites written contributions to its investigation by email at [email protected] along with your name and contact details. The deadline for submissions is 29 February 2020.
Universal Credit replaces six existing benefits (Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance; Income-related Employment and Support Allowance; Income Support; Child Tax Credit; Working Tax Credit; Housing Benefit or Local Housing Allowance). The new system is based on a single monthly payment (rather than every two weeks) paid in arrears directly to a bank account. Payments include all eligible housing costs meaning that claimants will be responsible for paying their rent themselves.
ARLA Propertymark is a member of the Department for Work and Pensions Strategic PRS Landlord Group. We've raised concerns with the Government for some time now over Universal Credit payments not being processed quickly enough, which can cause distress and hardship to claimants, and has also led to some landlords deciding not to rent properties to those in receipt of the benefit.
Resources for ARLA Propertymark members
Universal Credit is being introduced in stages across the UK by postcode area. Use the link below to access the fact sheet.
Fact sheet: Universal Credit and private rented housing (Scotland)
Universal Credit is a new benefit brought in via the Welfare Reform Act 2012 to support people who are on low incomes or out of work. It is managed by the Department for Work and Pensions.
Fact sheet: Universal Credit and private rented housing
Universal Credit is a new benefit brought in via the Welfare Reform Act 2012 to support people who are on low incomes or out of work. It is managed by the Department for Work and Pensions.
The Department for Work and Pension (DWP) Guidance
The DWP recently published updated guidance for landlords with tenants in receipt of Universal Credit to help them understand what they can do to help their tenants prepare for the move to the single payment and what support is available.